METHODS FOR DETERMINING

MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO

INSPECT
NDT INSPECTION INSIDER
 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT
ASME PCC-2 provides general good recommendations and requirements for determining the number
of tubes to inspect by different methods. The user may select any method, and may also deviate from the
recommendations and requirements of each method based on the requirements of the heat exchanger.

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT
Fixed Tube Count

The following minimum number of tubes inspected should be considered:

• 50 tubes or 25% of tube total, whichever is greater, for heat exchangers with a total tube count of less
than 500 tubes
• 20% of tube total for heat exchangers with a total tube count of 500 tubes or more, up to 750 tubes
• 15% of tube total for heat exchangers with a total tube count of 750 tubes or more, up to 1,000 tubes
• 10% of tube total for heat exchangers with a total tube count of more than 1,000 tubes

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT
Fixed Tube Count

The following minimum number of tubes inspected should be considered:

• 50 tubes or 25% of tube total, whichever is greater, for heat exchangers with a total tube count of less
than 500 tubes

Example. If the exchanger has 400 tubes ,how many tubes are inspected ?

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT
Fixed Tube Count

The following minimum number of tubes inspected should be considered:

• 20% of tube total for heat exchangers with a total tube count of 500 tubes or more, up to 750 tubes

Example. If the exchanger has 720 tube, how many tubes are inspected ?

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT
Fixed Tube Count

The following minimum number of tubes inspected should be considered:

• 15% of tube total for heat exchangers with a total tube count of 750 tubes or more, up to 1,000 tubes

Example. If the exchanger has 1000 tubes, how many tubes are inspected ?

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT
Fixed Tube Count

The following minimum number of tubes inspected should be considered:

• 10% of tube total for heat exchangers with a total tube count of more than 1,000 tubes

Example. If the exchanger has 2750 tubes, how many tubes are inspected ?

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT
Tube Bundle

The following areas of the tube bundle should be examined at a minimum:

a) the first three rows adjacent to the inlet nozzle and the last two rows adjacent to the outlet nozzle.
b) every second tube around the perimeter of the bundle. For multipass heat exchangers, the perimeter
of each pass shall be included.
c) a selection of tubes in the interior section of the bundle.
d) areas with a history of active damage mechanisms.**Need history inspection reports
e) areas that have not previously been examined.
f) failure of 10% of the tubes examined shall require an additional 10% of tubes to be examined in
the examined area, as per (a) through (e).

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider

 DETERMINING MINIMUM NUMBER OF TUBES TO
INSPECT

Credit : ASME PCC-2 NDT Inspection Insider